Reflections of the tower at the Oxford Castle.  This is the tower that Matilda the daughter of Henry I, escaped capture in  winter of 1142 by wearing a white cape in the ice and snow covered Oxford.  I don't take many night shots, I am not that good at night photography, hope you can see the reflection of the Tower in the Stream.

EAT Opens in Queen Street Oxford

Just a follow up post really, since January I have been following what used to be the Thomas Cook store on Queen Street.  After as few months EAT posted a display saying that they would open a store on January, see this post. Today when I walked past I noticed that the store was open, must have opened this week, I like seeing all the stores on the commercial streets trading, well done EAT, I will have to pop in for a lunch soon.

Looking Down St Giles To The City

Again another well known area of Oxford, St Giles.  This photo was taken from the War Memorial looking towards Cornmarket.  This area has been very popular the last few days with all the good weather we have been having, plenty of people out at lunch time enjoying the sun resting in the area.

New Poster on the South Parade Billboard

400 Ton Crane in Walton Well Street

Boy, this one was a biggy.  It took up the whole street and I am not sure when it was going to be moved, but from the looks of things it was going to stay in the street for awhile.  It was working around the new development on the old Lucy's site, I have taken a photo from the canal side of this before.  It sure had the neighbour's out looking at this huge machine.

Genuine Free Range Eggs

This was on a box in an organic store in Oxford, was going to ask if they had any other kind of Free Range Eggs but was not sure what answer I was going to get.

St Thomas the Matyr's Church

This Church in Osney dating back to 1100's is close to the train station which allows you to use the church yard as a short cut if coming from the city centre.  Have not been down this way for awhile and on the way to the train station day noticed that the grave yard looks like it is well over grown at the moment.  The Church is St Thomas the Matyr's link in to read more about it.

Having a Rest in the Shade

Warm day today, while in St Ebbes Street today I tried to get a photo of this family resting under a blossom tree as the windy blew off all the white petals of the flowers creating what looked like snow falling.  Guess it was a little harder to get these falling petals in the photo while in the air, you can see them on the road.

iFest 2008

Did not know anything about iFest 2008 which was being held in Broad Street until I walked into it today. It was being put on by the Oxford Israeli Cultural Society and they are trying to let people know that there is more than just war in Israel.  Hoping that festivals like this one can build understanding and maybe one day peace.  They had lots of stalls and lots of homous and pita bread which was great.

Punting On A Bank Holiday

Punting is one of the "MUST" do activities for visitors to the city, if you have time and the weather is right, which it was this morning.  On a sunny bank holiday weekend punting is going to be very popular on the River, take your time, relax and enjoy a PIMMS on the River, Very Oxford!  Lets hope that the rest of the Bank Holiday Weekend in Oxford stays warm and clear.

Oxford Central Conservative Club

Just off the main shopping street in Oxford is the Oxford Central Conservative Club, and with the Conservatives winning a majority of the seats in the local elections nationally this club may become a little more popular.  The main sign over the entry is looking a little 'weathered' at the moment, however they have started to put out a newer cheese board advertising the clubs specials.  Unfortunately this is a 'Members Only' club, which means that the prices over the bar should be better than the main High Street pubs.

Oxford City Council Elections

Not a lot of activity at this Polling Station in North Oxford this morning, but it was early hours of the election.  Local elections are being held today all across the city with 101 candidates standing for 24 seats in the City Council. Results can been seen here.

Chawley Brick Works Site

There has been industrial work at this site since 1846 and more than likely before that. This area used to be the site of the Chawley Brick and Tile works, who made bricks and tiles for the Earl of Abingdon, supplying the areas around Oxfordshire. After this the current business Timbmet moved in and have been here for about 50 years.  This afternoon while driving past I noticed the site was empty of the normal traffic and stock, and a large sign on the fence advertising the new housing development that would soon be started.  All the timber sheds have started to be pulled down and the site is starting to get ready for the developers to move in.  Have a look a these websites for information on the former Brickworks and this one for an aerial view of the timber works. It will be interesting to see how this area develops as it is a large site, photo's I am sure will be posted.

Wet Oxford Train Station

Arrived back in Oxford this afternoon having been away for a few days, and it was wet, cold and windy at the station as you can see from this photo of a few passengers getting off the 16.15 train from London. Definitely coat and umbrella weather today in Oxford.

O'niell's Oxford

This is the other side of the corner of New Inn Hall and George Street, working in from yesterdays photo.  You can see the Cluttons sign on the George Street side of the building saying that the ownership of this building has just changed hands, business not effected.  Not exactly sure what the upper parts of the building is used for however O'Niell's is an Irish theme bar, very busy at weekends.  Next post in a few days, sorry I am away for a few days.

Coffee Republic

This is one of the corners of New Inn Hall and George Streets in the city centre.  I have never been in to this Coffee Shop, as you will know I am not a big coffee drinker, however it is always very busy and I notice in the window that they have free WiFi, maybe handy for visitors.

Happy Birthday Your Majesty

Again in Oxford all the Government Building and all the Colleges of the university the Union Flag was flying for the Queen's actual Birthday.  Last year I posted photo's of Christ Church Colleges Royal Standard which is flown on Royal Events. This year the Queens Royal Cypher on a Royal Mail van with one of the Colleges of Oxford in the reflection. Happy Birthday Ma'am. 

Along the Thames

The banks of the Thames across from Christ Church College are starting to become busier as we move closer to Summer with narrow boats mooring up over night close to the city centre.  This morning we had low cloud over Oxford which made the river look a little misty, or was it because I was up early for a ride along the river?

Gloucester Arms Last Day

According to newspaper reports, the Gloucester Arms in Friars Entry will close it's doors after over 200 years of service residents and visitors to the City Centre of Oxford. Boasting "The Best Juke Box For Miles" this small pub down a small lane in the city centre is one of the last independent pubs in the City.  Catering for a unique group of clientele who are angry at St John's College who own the premises for not renewing the lease.  Tonight will be the last orders for this rough diamond of Oxford.

New College Oxford City Wall

The original city wall from the medieval times I think around 900AD can be seen once in New College grounds.  The wall on the left of this photo and part of New College, which is one of Oxfords Oldest is on the right. The wall can be seen at a few other places in Oxford, however the wall within New College grounds is the largest original remaining.  Well worth a look if the college is open.

Foggy Morning No View Hot Air Balloon

What are you looking at?  Well this morning is was very foggy and you could not see a lot as you can see from this photo.  If you look very closely, maybe you will need to click on the photo to view it full size, you will see at the bottom of the photo a Hot Air Balloon!  Imagine taking a ride in a Hot Air Balloon to see beautiful Oxford from the air and not being able to see more than 50m below!!  I could not believe it myself when I saw it, but there it was a Hot Air Balloon in the early morning fog.  Lets hope it went high enough to clear the fog and see Oxford covered in white blanket.